Pilot Debrief

Beech 60 near Big Spring, TX — 2020-01-29

Final reportCEN20TA071
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Date
2020-01-29
Location
Big Spring, TX, USA
Airport
TX31
Aircraft
Beech 60
Registration
N50JR
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power in both engines due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted in a landing short of the runway.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting a cross-country flight at a cruise altitude of 10,500 ft mean sea level when the left engine lost all power. He secured the engine and elected to continue to his destination. Shortly thereafter, the right engine lost all power. After selecting an airport for a forced landing, he overflew the runway and entered the pattern. The pilot stated that on short final, after extending the landing gear, "the plane quit flying and the airspeed went to nothing." The airplane landed 200 to 300 yards short of the runway threshold, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. During a postaccident examination, only tablespoons of fuel were drained from the left tank. Due to the position of the airplane, the right tank could not be drained; however, when power was applied to the airplane, both fuel quantity gauges indicated empty fuel tanks. Neither fuel tank was breached during the accident, and there was no discoloration present on either of the wings or engine nacelles to indicate a fuel leak; therefore, the loss of engine power is consistent with fuel exhaustion.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have diverted to KBPG earlier after left engine issues arose.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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